Older kids on family holidays
9-17 years (9-12s and 13-17s in peak periods)
Base Camp & Teen Zone
Older kids needn’t worry about hanging out with younger brothers or sisters or even mum and dad! Among other things, Base Camp has a whole wall of free to use computer games and teens have even got their own club* tucked away where they can (mostly!) do whatever they like to do. They even have the option of going ashore without mum and dad.
On both ships, Base Camp is open until midnight for children aged 9 and over, and during school holidays the hours are extended and extra activities are laid on. They also have their own zone, The Hideout on Ocean Village with loads of things to keep them entertained like art and crafts, sports, game shows, pool games, workshops, quizzes, movies, Playstations and a club dinner. Some typical activities might include:
- Circus workshops
- Karaoke
- Scavenger hunts
- Dance workshops
- Vocal workshops
- Pool games
- Water volleyball
- Twister fun
- Table tennis tournaments
- Quick fire bingo
- Giant Pictionary
- Give me a clue
- Discos
- Late night munchies
- Playstation challenge
We've even had some celebrities on board whose kids had a great time in Base Camp! Fat Friends TV sitcom writer and star Kay Mellor and Gaynor Faye brought their kids onto Ocean Village, and here's what they had to say about Basecamp...
Kay says, "My kids loved Base Camp the swimming pools and the children's entertainment. They couldn't wait to get involved. They also loved having their own special tea - it was like a children's tea party every day of the week – with fun and healthy food for them to enjoy."
Gaynor added, "My kids loved Base Camp too! Anything they wanted to do they could do and it was perfectly safe and well managed by staff. It’s open all day and all evening giving kids, and adults, the chance to escape each other for a couple of hours. They also loved the football court and the pizzas at La Luna!"
Click here to read their full reviews >
Something a little bit different...
If your little ones are growing up too fast and don't fancy the usual 'kids club' activities, how about our latest additions for 13-17 year olds during the summer holidays? On board, older children can try out 'How To Be A TV Presenter' workshops and 'Girls Night In' pampering sessions.
- The How To Be A TV Presenter - workshop gives all budding stars the chance to learn how to front a TV programme from seasoned TV presenter David O’Reilly. They'll be filmed reading from an autocue, conducting interviews and creating a travelogue using Ocean Village’s Action Ashore programme as background material. Each week the best show reel is voted for with the winner displayed throughout Ocean Village on the ship’s plasma screens. Your teenager can also buy their show reel as a souvenir of their time onboard for just £9.95.
- Girls Night In - a weekly evening spa pampering package run by Ocean Village’s onboard spa team and supervised by three members of the specially trained Youth team for girls aged 9-12 years old and 13-17 years old. For £20 per person, your pampered Princess can have her hair styled, her nails manicured, learn how to cleanse her skin properly, and the tricks of the trade to apply make up professionally. For an additional £10 per person, she can also treat herself to a temporary tooth gem.
Great Escapes
Great news for older kids – time ashore without mum and dad! Perfect if the family all want to do different things – and a great way for teens to spend a day ashore with their mates! During peak season in the Med, 9-17 year olds can go ashore on a range of specially selected activities that are escorted by members of our Youth Team. Trips include Marineland from St Raphael and Villefranche, the Nou Camp stadium in Barcelona and hiking up Mount Vesuvius in Naples. Please visit the Action Ashore desk once on board to book. Places are limited and subject to availability.
*The Hideout on Ocean Village.
